Step 1 - Working in only ink, I work up a quick line drawing to act as a roadmap to my painting. Be confident in your work and don't fear mistakes.
Step 2 - painting with a limited palette. This lady is of European descent so I decided to lighten up my triad by choosing gamboge nova (Holbien), cobalt blue (Cotman), Permanent Alizarin Crimson (Holbien), this painting I also added Veridian green and burnt sienna but these were not used on her face, just in the background.
Step 3 - continue to add layers, adjusting values as you go.
Step 4 - Add background elements and start to adjust your values and color temperatures against what they are sitting beside.
Step 5 - add details like hair strands, highlights. You will also notice that she has no wrinkles but by adding depth to the eyes and depth in chin it implies age. I call a painting done when my darks disappear against the black ink.
